“The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012. Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the Club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation,” the statement added.

“… Before I finish, I want to tell you I have talked with the club and I will finish my contract on the original date,” Pellegrini said at the end of his press conference to preview the game against Sunderland

Pellegrini was appointed at the Etihad in 2013 and led the club to the Premier League and League Cup double the following season.